During the debate, the DUP MP highlighted that Northern Ireland is experiencing some of the longest waiting times in the UK for ADHD assessments, and warned that the current system is failing individuals and families at every stage of their journey, from initial referral to post-diagnosis support and medication access.

Mrs Lockhart pointed to what she described as “an escalating concern” being brought to her by constituents who are either waiting years for an initial assessment or being forced to pursue private diagnoses, only to find they remain unable to access necessary treatment due to the absence of shared care agreements.

Speaking after the debate, Mrs Lockhart said:

“In recent months, I have been contacted by a growing number of constituents expressing serious concerns about the lack of access to ADHD services, particularly for adults. Today, I brought those concerns directly to Parliament and highlighted that the situation in Northern Ireland is as severe, if not more so, than in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Children are now waiting up to five years for an ADHD assessment. For adults, the situation is even worse, with waiting times extending to seven or eight years in some cases. This is simply unacceptable.

The result is that many individuals are turning to the private sector for diagnosis, at significant personal cost, only to find that they are still unable to access the medication they require to manage their condition because of a lack of shared care arrangements. This leaves them in an impossible situation: diagnosed, but denied treatment.

To make matters worse, the availability of essential ADHD medications is becoming increasingly unreliable, compounding the challenges already faced by patients who are often struggling to function in day-to-day life without support.

During the debate, I asked the Minister whether she agrees that people with ADHD are effectively being discriminated against due to the lack of access to basic services, and whether interim measures could be put in place to enable those with private diagnoses to access treatment through shared care arrangements.

I have also written to the Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt MLA, to request an urgent meeting and a detailed update on the provision of ADHD services in Northern Ireland. This includes waiting times across Health Trusts, protocols for medication access, and the development of consistent and accessible shared care pathways between private and NHS providers.

This is not just an issue of resourcing, it is one of fairness, dignity, and the right to basic healthcare. People with ADHD deserve timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and a system that supports them, not one that places further obstacles in their path. I will continue to press the Department of Health and the Minister for urgent and meaningful action.”